A student project aimed at alleviating the issue of domestic violence has gone viral and garnered over 30 000 views on social media.

The second-year Emergency Medical Care (EMC) students were tasked with a service learning project which required them to implement a primary healthcare measure aimed at stopping a social problem before it escalated into a bigger one.

EMC professionals are often the first at the scene of serious yet preventable medical emergencies and the bulk of these callouts are to domestic violence cases.

The ‘Sugar Campaign’ encourages the public to nip a potential violent outburst in the bud by intervening and asking for a cup of sugar.

One of the group members Karien Brand says the idea was initially aimed at the student residences but the Facebook campaign grew so big that it was soon picked up by mainstream media.

Lecturer Stephen Harrison says the campaign is a simple measure with very effective results.

“It has been criticised because some people may not want to get involved but there are people who do and for those people this offers a simple action that can stop a situation escalating to violence,” he says.

The campaign was launched on social media but was also accompanied by an innovative marketing blitz that saw the information stapled to a sachet of sugar and distributed to students.

Group leader Avi Hack says he was impressed by the level of interest in the campaign.

“It’s something that can keep growing and hopefully save a life,” he says.

Written by Lauren Kansley

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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

A project aimed at boosting academic throughput and students’ understanding of difficult subjects like physics has graduated one of its first classes.

This week first year Emergency Medical Care students showcased their projects at the inaugural Physics Concepts Exhibition.   

The event encourages students to select a pure physics concept and then prove it through a working model in an effort to comprehend the theory.

The programme was administered by the Fundani unit and made possible by a multi-million rand Teaching and Development grant that CPUT received for the first time.

The grant is issued in an attempt to boost throughput rates of otherwise capable students struggling only with complicated subjects like maths and physics.

The success of programmes like this has seen CPUT receive a cash injection of R12 million to replicate it across more courses.

Some of the ideas exhibited included ballistics, hydraulics and magnetic acceleration and physics lecturer Dr Mark Marais congratulated the students on embracing the challenge.

“Emergency Medical Care needs a special kind of person and I hope what we did here in terms of physics will be useful in your future careers,” he told the audience.

Students Ronnie Kellerman and Fabio Moreira were awarded first prize for their detailed model on rope rescue which examined the role of mechanical advantages in hoisting a load.

Ronnie says the project helped simplify complicated theories like Newton’s law of motion and the fact that the exhibition replaced an exam meant they truly understood their chosen concepts.

Written by Lauren Kansley

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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

CPUT staff never miss an opportunity for their students to learn and network with industry partners.

The massive construction taking place at the Bellville campus, where the new engineering building is being built, is the perfect training ground for a number of courses on offer at the institution.

A 43-metre crane on site created the perfect chance for Emergency Medical Care staff and students to practice their rescue training.

VERTIGO: Lecturer Schalk van der Merwe on top of the 43 metre high crane

The invitation was also opened up to industry partners like the military health services, airport fire rescue, metro rescue and the fire department.

Lecturer Schalk van der Merwe thanked the construction company Stefanutti Stocks for their willingness to allow the rescue simulation to happen on site.

“We simulated the crane operator having a heart attack up there as well as an electrical accident. The purpose of the simulation is to keep our rescue training abilities in top form,” he says.

“It is also a great chance to network and build common practice techniques between the various rescue units.”

Despite a slight drizzle volunteers from the various units took it in turns to ascend the crane then descend using ropes.

Justin Ventzke from Stefanutti Stocks says the construction site has been attracting students from a number of courses like quantity surveying.

“A few have come to ask for work shadowing opportunities and we have been happy to oblige,” he says.

Written by Marick Hornsveld

There are many firsts in the newly introduced Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care (BEMC) course being offered at the Bellville campus.

Apart from being offered in a state-of-the-art building, CPUT’s BEMC 1 is also pioneering the introduction of Anatomy and Physiology into the course.

This is a first for Emergency Medical Care courses across the country and is expected to completely revolutionise the training of paramedics in South Africa.

Head of Department Christopher Lloyd says Anatomy and Physiology used to largely be taught via textbooks and PowerPoint presentations which cannot compare to the practical experience of seeing tissue under a microscope.

Dr Kareemah Gamieldien is at the helm of the innovation and this week taught her very first Anatomy and Physiology course to first years in a specially designed laboratory.

At a later stage, students will graduate from lab work to working on actual cadavers - another first for the course.

TOP CLASS: Health and Wellness Dean Dhiro Gihwala with HOD Christopher Lloyd and staff and students in the brand new anatomy lab

“The point of a subject like this is so that the students understand how the body works. So when it isn’t functioning correctly they can understand why the body responds the way it does,” says Gamieldien.

The course is offered in a state of the art lab which is kitted out with brand new microscopes and Data Acquisition Systems which will allow the students to monitor their own pulse rates, blood pressure, electrical cardiac events and even analyze their respiratory capacities.

“For our department, it is a huge feat, since we will be the first to incorporate practicals of this caliber in the Emergency Medicine programme so we are leading the way,” says Gamieldien.

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Individuals interested in applying for programmes in Nursing, Dental Sciences and Emergency Medical Care, have up until Thursday, 31 July to do so.

The programmes offered by the Faculty of Health and Wellness are designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills to take up exciting careers offered in the health sector.

The four-year BTech Nursing programme is one of CPUT’s most popular programmes.

The programme is registered with the South African Nursing Council and on completion graduates will be registered as a Professional Nurse with qualifications in General Nursing, Community Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing and Midwifery.

The course is comprised of theoretical studies and clinical practicals, which will take place at a variety of accredited hospitals and community settings during the 4 years of study.

Those who opt for the Dental Science programme will be engaged with patient-specific dental work as early as their first year of study and on completion, graduates can opt for careers as dental technologists in a commercial dental laboratory or in a government dental training hospital.

CPUT also offers a four-year Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care. This qualification is designed to produce professionals who are independent clinical practitioners and rescue specialists within the emergency medical care and rescue environments.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Individuals interested in applying for Design programmes, Architectural Technology and Emergency Medical Care, have up until Friday, 31 July to do so.

The Design programmes include the following National Diplomas:

• Interior Design
• Fashion Design
• Graphic Design
• Jewellery Design and Manufacture
• Surface Design
• Three-Dimensional Design

Individuals interested in applying forArchitectural Technology or design programmes are required to hand in a portfolio. The requirements for the portfolio can be found at: http://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply/step-1-choose-a-qualification#addrequirements

Applications for the four-year Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care must also be submitted by 31 July 2015. No portfolio is required for this course.

Application forms are available for download from the CPUT website and can also be obtained from the Admission and Registration offices at CPUT campuses.

All application forms must be filled in correctly and be accompanied by the correct documents, which must be certified by a commissioner of oaths.

A R100 non-refundable application fee is payable.

For more information, visit the How to apply section on the website that outlines a 7-step guide for application for admission to CPUT.

Please note the following closing dates for specified courses:

• Emergency Medical Care, Design, Architecture: 31 July 2015
• International applications: 31 August 2015
• All other courses (South African applicants): 30 September 2015

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

CPUT staff and students have once again made a valuable contribution to the success of the annual Jazz on the Rocks Festival, which was held at the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve on the West Coast.

The festival not only boosts tourism to the Paternoster area but also helps to empower young people through skills development.
Last year CPUT’s Town and Regional Planning and Architecture Department joined forces with Camissa Solutions to train youngsters from the area in mapping skills and the project was extended this year.

Jacqui Scheepers, manager of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Unit at CPUT, says that this year staff and students from the Faculties of Informatics and Design and Health and Wellness Sciences worked hand in hand with Camissa Solutions.

Town and Regional Planning students trained local youth in the art of map reading. which they would use to assist guests find their plots during the festival, while Emergency Medical Care students worked in shifts to support the medical teams on site.

“Together with the Service-Learning Unit, lecturers like Nicholas Pinfold (Department of Town and Regional Planning), Navindhra Naidoo, Llizane Mcdonald and Daglin Thomas (Department of Emergency Medical Sciences) were instrumental in the launch, coordination and implementation of the project on site before and during the festival. In partnership with Camissa Solutions, the next phase will include follow up training sessions with unemployed West Coast youth.”

She said the students did CPUT proud with their professional attitude and theoretical knowledge of their disciplines. Clarence Ford from Camissa Solutions looks forward to a continued fruitful relationship with CPUT.

“Together with CPUT we are building communities.”

Dale Sparrow, a fourth-year EMS student says the project was a great experience for final year students to develop their managerial skills.

“Setting up a medical unit in the field is an important aspect for our future qualification,” he says.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Emergency Medical Care students recently made a donation to Aid4Paws, a non-profit organisation that takes care of the cats on the Bellville campus.

Lecturer Roxanne Maritz said students raised R2 000 for the organisation by going door to each residence and asking students to donate to the cause.

“As Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care students, we have primary health care as a subject that ensures that people and animals receive comprehensive care – ranging from promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care.”

She said the module requires students to do something for the community and Aid4Paws was selected.

“The non-profit organisation feeds and sterilises cats. Additionally, they also deflea and deworm cats regularly and take sick cats to the vet. All cats on campus have received their rabies vaccinations and all other vaccinations are up to date.”

Maritz said the cats play a vital role on campus.

“They are there to keep our residences and classrooms free of rodents and snakes. CPUT is as much their home as ours and they play an important role in our ecosystem. It is important that you do not feed the cats human food as this will entice them and they will come into your rooms looking for the food. The cats are being fed cat food by Aid4Paws so they will not go hungry.”

*If you see any sick or injured cat or kittens on campus, contact one of the Aid4Paws members (072 7322 461).

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The hard work and creativity of staff members who contributed to the success of CPUT Open Day 2024 were recognised during a recent event.

Open Day 2024 attracted an estimated 18 000 learners, parents, teachers and members of the public who were given the opportunity to explore the University’s 2025 course offering and to interact directly with staff and students.

Some departments also offered informative tours of their facilities.

Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of the Marketing and Communication Department, welcomed the attendees and said the Open Day “was nothing short of brilliant”. He thanked the staff members for their participation.

The winning stalls were also announced and four prizes were awarded as follows:

• Most Informative Stand - Interior Design
• Best Team Spirit - Emergency Medical Care
• Best Faculty Experience - Horticulture
• Best Marketing Concept - Film Production

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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More than 100 graduates recently celebrated their achievements during the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences’ Higher Certificate Graduation ceremony.

The ceremony, which was held at the Education Hall on the Bellville Campus, celebrated graduates who completed the Higher Certificate in Dental Assisting and the Higher Certificate in Emergency Medical Care in 2023.

Acting Assistant Dean, Dr Lloyd Christopher, welcomed the graduates and their loved ones and said the road the graduates had taken was challenging but they completed it and excelled.

“You’ve made a success of your time at CPUT and now you can inspire others to consider a university education because they have seen you succeed,” he said.

“What we would like to do is to take what you’ve learnt from us and do to good in small and big ways.”

Dental Assisting class representatives Radhiyah Fakier & Faaria Shaik acknowledged the support of their lecturers and congratulated their fellow graduates on their success.

EMS alumni Sergio Amos and Ashlee Alpes shared their experiences in the field and thanked the EMS staff members for the role they played in their lives.

“You can never go back to being the same person you were. This is a special department in that it changes you and you grow so much as a person and a practitioner. At this time, I want to commend the lecturers, the management and the staff of EMS,” said Alpes.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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